Dental fillings are frequently placed in patients. The most common use of a dental filling is as a treatment for a cavity, or small area of tooth decay. But a dental filling can also be used in other situations as well. At Dr. James M. Wright’s Salt Lake City cosmetic dentistry practice, dental fillings can restore the strength of a tooth that has been weakened by decay, injury, or general wear and tear.

Dental Filling Uses

A dental filling is applied to a tooth to replace tooth material that is weak, damaged, or missing. A dental filling may be used to strengthen and protect a tooth that has any of the following flaws:

• Dental cavity: Filling a dental cavity is the most common use for dental fillings. When tooth decay leads to a cavity, the tooth can be cleaned of all decay and a dental filling can be placed to replace the healthy tooth material that was lost to decay.

• Cracks or fractures: If a tooth was injured and has cracks or fractures, a dental filling may be required. If the crack or fracture has caused the loss of tooth material or has significantly weakened the tooth, a dental filling can be applied to offer support for the tooth.

• General wear and tear: Sometimes a tooth can be weakened as a result of general wear and tear and enamel erosion. Habits such as nail biting or teeth grinding can make a tooth more likely to weaken or lose healthy tooth structure over time. In these situations, the dental filling material can replace lost tooth material to offer further support and protection for the tooth.
   

Dental fillings are an effective treatment for vulnerable teeth because they enhance the tooth in two ways. First, the dental filling restores the tooth’s strength by replacing weak or damaged tooth enamel with a strong filling material (there are several options available for dental filling materials and this can be discussed with Dr. Wright). Second, the dental filling protects the tooth by creating a seal to help block out bacteria or protect the tooth from further damage.
 

Alternate Treatments

In any of the above situations, a dental filling is best used at the initial stages of tooth deterioration. When a tooth has more advanced stages of decay or suffers from severe injury, Dr. Wright is likely to discuss alternate treatments. In some cases, indirect fillings may be a good option. Also known as inlays and onlays, these restorations are very similar to fillings but can be used to restore larger portions of the tooth.  Another option for our patients in Salt Lake City, dental crowns can restore and protect a tooth with very advanced stages of decay or damage.
 

Schedule an Appointment

Dr. James M. Wright offers his Salt Lake City patients a wide range of dental treatment options. Dr. Wright combines experience and the latest dental technology to provide his patients with the best dental treatment available. If you are looking for quality dental care in a comfortable setting, schedule an appointment with Dr. Wright at your earliest convenience.